Lisa Shaw is seen in this image before her bariatric lap-band surgery four years ago.

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Her body-mass index was just over 57 (anything over 30 is considered obese). She had high blood pressure, and could no longer do her job as a registered nurse. After four years of careful consideration, she underwent adjustable gastric band surgery to reduce the size of her stomach. She ratcheted down her body-mass index rate below 30 and dramatically changed her body.

"I'm still considered overweight, but I'm happy where I'm at," said Shaw, who won't say exactly how much she weighs now. "I can run 5 miles." ...